I've recently discovered the joys of Angband and after playing and killing several warriors, I thought I'd try the mage. I'm finding the experience difficult, so far. Which race would you all recommend for a newbie? I'd prefer a human or elf since they level quickly, but is a high elf so much better that it is worth the xp penalty?

When rolling, I shoot for an 18 in INT and as high a CON that I can get. Anything else important? Also, for early levels, should I be meleeing or using a bow at all? I haven't been so far, but I'm resting after every encounter to get my few meager SPs back, so it is extremely slow going. Any further advice would be appreciated!

I've recently discovered the joys of Angband and after playing and killing several warriors, I thought I'd try the mage. I'm finding the experience difficult, so far. Which race would you all recommend for a newbie? I'd prefer a human or elf since they level quickly, but is a high elf so much better that it is worth the xp penalty?

Yes. Or Dunadan.

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When rolling, I shoot for an 18 in INT and as high a CON that I can get. Anything else important?

Strength. You really don't want to be slowed by weight.

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Also, for early levels, should I be meleeing or using a bow at all? I haven't been so far, but I'm resting after every encounter to get my few meager SPs back, so it is extremely slow going. Any further advice would be appreciated!

Enchant a bow, and use it. A lot. !Heroism helps.

Try to avoid melee, unless you are much stronger. (As a mage, that probably won't happen for a while, with few exceptions.)

Hi all,
When rolling, I shoot for an 18 in INT and as high a CON that I can get. Anything else important? Also, for early levels, should I be meleeing or using a bow at all? I haven't been so far, but I'm resting after every encounter to get my few meager SPs back, so it is extremely slow going. Any further advice would be appreciated!

Thanks!

Try this:
High elf mage, 18/50 int.
I actually make strength as high as possible, then con.
As posted, the higher strength lets you carry more stuff - you don't want to be slowed.

You'll get much more mana this way, and you can live off of magic missles for a long time.

It's fun to play pretty quick initially.
If you do chararacter level = dungeon level, it's not THAT hard to get your character to level 9 your first trip into the dungeon.
Then word of recall back up, get the 3rd spellbook, and you'll be identifying stuff in no time.

Use detect monster a LOT, avoid any monsters you aren't ready for.
( Like I'd avoid Fang/Grip till at least level 3 ). Sleep will be a life
saver initially.

make sure to have phase doors, potions of cure serious (for blindness/confusion), and get a staff of teleportation ASAP.

My constant goal is to get to 1000' (DLEV 20) on my first dive, I tend to be about 1/2 that by the time I max my inventory and get identify (at clev 11). Often I have made clev 15 or more before coming back to town the first time.

I get that deep by ignoring loot which will slow me down. It is more important to identify flavours. Do this by picking up rings, wands, rods, potions etc and dumping weapons or armours until you can cast ID.

Run away. There is a thread about this that is worth reading. It applies to all @'s but especially mages.

Don't go too far from the < if you are using connected stairs. If the > isn't within a screen of the < then go back up and come straight back down again. The easiest way to die is by teleporting around between puny monsters when you are down on mana and HP trying to find somewhere to rest. So don't do it - just stay near stairs. (it's what you would do if it were real life!)

Make sure you have a word of recall. If things looks scary read it THEN start running.
Mind you I have been having consistent trouble with my second or third visit back toward stat gain level, but if I can get past Clev3 I can get to clev 15!

I recommend a point-based high elf with 12 strength and 18/50 intelligence. Gives you infravision [high elf] and higher mana and more "Learn Points" [high int]. You will lack cash though... [Edit // I've been wrong; You *do* have 200!]